Jacob Hutchins Deadliest Catch Wiki, Biography, Age, Career, Music, and Captain Journey

From hauling pots in the freezing waters of the Bering Sea to learning the ropes in a high-stakes industry, Jacob Hutchins has built a career defined by persistence, adaptability, and firsthand experience. A commercial fisherman and television personality, Hutchins is best known for his appearances on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch. Raised in Washington after being adopted as an infant, he entered the world of crabbing without a family legacy—earning his place on deck and eventually stepping into a leadership role. Viewers have watched his progression from greenhorn to “skipper in training,” as he continues working toward his long-term goal of becoming the first African American crabbing captain on the Bering Sea.

Early Life and Background

Jacob Hutchins was born in 1989 in Austin, Texas, and adopted at four months old. His biological mother was Annie Adams, a name he has publicly acknowledged. He was raised in Seabeck and Bremerton, Washington, as the second youngest in a large adoptive family of 12 children. Growing up in such a household exposed him to diverse life experiences, shaping his early sense of identity and resilience.

By the age of seven, Hutchins had become an uncle. At fifteen, he left home to pursue independence, later describing that period as one where he began defining his own path. He graduated from Bremerton High School in 2008. That same year, he took part in the senior talent show, performing the gospel song “His Eye on the Sparrow,” a moment he later shared proudly on social media.

After high school, he moved to Grays Harbor County and began working in the fishing industry. His first job on a crab boat came on January 10, 2011—a date he still remembers as the beginning of his professional journey.

Music remained a meaningful part of his upbringing. He attended Sylvan Way Baptist Church, where he sang in choirs and played the trumpet. During high school, his choir teacher, Cassie Gillis, quietly covered the cost of his private vocal lessons—support that Hutchins has publicly acknowledged with gratitude.

From Deckhand to Skipper-in-Training: Jacob’s Journey at Sea

Jacob Hutchins began his commercial fishing career in January 2011, stepping onto his first crab boat in Grays Harbor County, Washington. Without a family background in the industry, he built his skills from the ground up, gaining experience aboard several vessels including the F/V ERLA-N, F/V Early Dawn, and F/V Saga.

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He made his television debut on Deadliest Catch Season 15, working under Captain Jake Anderson. In Season 19, Hutchins joined the F/V Wizard under Captain Keith Colburn. Though the season brought challenges, including interpersonal tensions, it also gave him critical exposure to the high demands of the Bering Sea fleet.

Later in Season 19, Hutchins transitioned to the F/V Aleutian Lady under Captain Rick Shelford Sr. In Episode 12, he was given the opportunity to run the hydros and support the gear set for the winter cod derby in Unimak Pass. With pressure mounting—both from the need to prove himself and from the financial goals tied to the boat—Hutchins acknowledged early missteps, including operating errors that caused tension on deck. He later reflected on the incident, admitting,

“I wasn’t paying enough attention to what I was manipulating… I pulled the wrong lever.” Despite this, Captain Rick offered him clear guidance and a second chance, emphasizing safety and focus.

The team quickly recovered and went on to haul promising numbers of cod, validating the strategy of targeting the current-rich waters in the pass. The episode portrayed Hutchins as someone still learning but steadily adapting, gaining hands-on experience under real pressure. These moments—marked by both correction and opportunity—became part of his growth as a potential leader.

In Deadliest Catch Season 20, Episode 4, Hutchins was referred to on-screen as a “skipper in training” while navigating a high-pressure crab haul aboard the F/V Aleutian Lady. Tasked with helping track a biomass along a 58-fathom depression, he worked to direct a 40-pot set across both the eastern and western sides of a gully. This scenario required real-time interpretation of sonar data and quick decision-making.

The episode also spotlighted a tense moment between Hutchins and fellow crew members who questioned his role on the bridge. The conflict escalated when a crewmate made an inappropriate comment, prompting Captain Rick to immediately intervene and remove the individual from deck duty. Hutchins maintained composure and reaffirmed his commitment to the role, stating,

“Rick gave me this position and he could easily take it away. I’m going to prioritize my focus in doing what he says and not listening to what everyone else thinks.”

Despite crew tensions, the strategy paid off—pots came up full, and the set validated Hutchins’ read of crab movement. The episode reinforced his evolving role not just as a crew member, but as someone beginning to take on leadership responsibilities under real-world pressure. as a “skipper in training,” reinforcing his trajectory toward eventually captaining his own vessel.

Musical Pursuits

Alongside fishing, Hutchins nurtured a strong creative side. He wrote poetry and songs while at sea and officially formed The Jacob Hutchins Band in 2021. His musical style blends his life at sea with jazz, soul, and rock influences. As seen on his public Facebook page, Hutchins often speaks about the spiritual and emotional connection between music, energy, and purpose. One of his videos is captioned: “Music is the strongest form of magic. Music is 3 – 6 – 9. Frequency – Energy – Vibration.”

He also serves as Executive Director and CEO of the band while working in sales and marketing at Ocean Gold, a seafood company based in Olympia, Washington.

Aspirations and Vision

Hutchins has publicly stated his goal: to become the first African American crabbing captain on the Bering Sea. Aware of the challenges and changes in the fishing industry, he remains determined to break barriers.

“I’m gonna try to be a captain,” Hutchins told The Seattle Times. “I have ruffled a few feathers by getting on certain boats… but I know how to survive in an environment where it’s very hard to survive. I grew up like that.”

His leadership philosophy combines resilience with mentorship. He believes that by showing up with honesty, discipline, and faith, he can offer a new model of leadership in an industry that rarely sees people with his background in command roles.

Personal Life and Relationships

Jacob Hutchins has generally kept his personal life private, though social media posts over the years have offered glimpses into past relationships. In a 2016 Valentine’s Day post, Hutchins shared a thoughtful gift from his then-girlfriend: a rare set of collectible Magic: The Gathering cards, including ‘Tundra,’ ‘Serra Ascendant,’ ‘Damnation,’ and ‘Sword of Light and Shadow.’ He described her as “awesome,” showing appreciation for the gesture. In a 2017 review of Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Hutchins mentioned it was his girlfriend’s first time visiting the city—describing the trip as a great experience while also noting his dissatisfaction with the All American Grill’s overpriced fish and chips.

While he has not publicly confirmed a marriage or current partner, these posts indicate he was in a relationship during the mid-2010s. As of now, there are no public records or recent updates suggesting he is married or has children. Hutchins continues to focus on his work, music, and career at sea while maintaining a relatively low profile when it comes to personal relationships.

Jacob Hutchins Wiki Bio – Quick Facts

Field	Details
Full Name	Jacob Hutchins
Born	1989
Birthplace	Austin, Texas, USA
Raised In	Seabeck and Bremerton, Washington
Nationality	American
Known For	Deadliest Catch (Season 15, 19, 20)
Occupation	Commercial Fisherman, TV Personality, Musician
Years Active (Fishing)	Since 2011
First Boat Job	January 10, 2011
Notable Vessels	F/V Saga, F/V Wizard, F/V Aleutian Lady, F/V ERLA-N, F/V Early Dawn
Band Name	The Jacob Hutchins Band
Role in Band	Founder, Vocalist, Executive Director
Current Position	Director of Sales & Marketing at Ocean Gold, Olympia, WA
Goal	To become the first African American crabbing captain on the Bering Sea
Education	Graduated from Bremerton High School (2008)
Biological Mother	Annie Adams
Siblings	Second youngest of 12 adopted children
Relationship Status	Not publicly married; was in a relationship during mid-2010s